These are two terms for the same field, and refer to a manual type of medicine (i.e. medicine performed through the hands). It is practiced by osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) as an adjunct therapy to other medicine, and is most commonly used to assist with musculoskeletal pain and chronic pain. There are many types of techniques which range from high velocity techniques (which produce cracks and are somewhat similar to the types of techniques used by chiropractors), to slow techniques employing a patient's own muscles, to soft tissue techniques which resemble massage.

Not all DOs practice OMM, particularly DOs who have specialized in fields such a cardiology, but many primary care physician DOs do practice it to some extent, and those that specialize in neuromuscular medicine practice it almost exclusively.

The American Osteopathic Association's web site can provide you with more information and help you to find a D.O. in your area if you are interested in this type of medicine: http://www.osteopathic.org

The term "Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine" is a vague term referring to any form or medicine involving any specialty that deals with the neuro-musculoskeletal system. It could refer to diagnostic and therapeutic techniques employed by Orthopedic surgeons, DO's and MD's who practice Manipulative Medicine, physical therapists and Chiropractors, among others. Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, on the other hand, is a system of manual manipulative techniques that serve as an adjunct to more conventional therapy to treat a variety of diseases for which manipulation has proven to be effective, as shown by evidence based medicine.

Like all forms of therapy, it has its proponents and adversaries. There is a small group or physicians at either end of the scale, but most agree that such therapy has a place (albeit limited) in the treatment of such diseases. It is important, however, to discriminate between the use of such therapy after a competent medical (MD or DO) "work-up" of your signs and symptoms to make a proper diagnosis, and those who would employ it with inadequate training or without such diagnostic regimens. Like many other forms of therapy, the later can prove dangerous and should be avoided.